It has been eight years since the introduction of rugby league to Jamaica. But gone are the nervous days when many wondered whether the demanding team sport wouldsurvive in this nation of gifted athletes.

Then, there were only four teams fanning the flames of a revolution. Fast forward to the end of 2012 and those at the head of the JRLA are looking forward to 2013 afteranother successful year of growth and expansion.

"It's been an incredible journey," said Romeo Monteith, Director of Rugby at the JRLA and Rugby League European Federation Development Manager for the Caribbean."2012 was a solid year for us; we had a productive national competition with eight clubs competing, a five team Intercollegiate Championship and activities in 12 highschools and some primary schools."

The JRLA also received a major boost with recognition and support from the country's Sports Development Foundation, the Government Agency established to contribute tonation building through sport, and have qualified dozens of coaches and match officials through partnerships with GC Foster College and the RLEF.

JRLA Chairman Ventley Brown is hoping to institute more new projects in 2013. "It is important that we continue to train and educate officials and coaches in the comingyears," he noted. "Our training courses will empower new ambassadors of rugby league while upgrading existing skills."

It is stories like that of Leon Thomas that has the Chairman most excited. He completed the first JRLA /GC Foster College coaching course in April and used theexperience to start rugby league at Excelsior Community College in Kingston.

They will become the newest and sixth institution to make up the Intercollegiate Rugby League Championship which begins in January 2013.

"It means a lot to introduce the sport to new people", commented Leon. "We are already having a positive impact on students and the support of the administrationhas been fantastic."

The intercollegiate competition has been one of the great success stories for the sport in Jamaica, with over a dozen student athletes receiving scholarships in thepast year. They also currently make up half of the national team.

With the growth of the sport - in 2011 the JRLA oversaw 10 youth teams, this year the number reached 27 - and the proven ability of the JRLA to sustain and expand itsfrontiers, the governing body intends to seek Full Membership of the Rugby League European Federation and the Rugby League International Federation in 2013, a sign ofthe confidence permeating the island.

According to Monteith, "Full Membership, along with continued support from the Sport Development Foundation and GC Foster College, will further strengthen our positionin Jamaica's rich sporting landscape."

"It will help the JRLA to sustain and fuel the expansion of the sport in the region. The support of these institutions is critical in getting rugby league into our 14parishes and the wider Caribbean."

I don't pretend to know anything much about cricket but hasn't the constant in fighting between the countries destroyed the game there?

I don't know much about cricket either but if any talented players are unearthed in the future from say Bermuda, trinidad, st.lucia etc they could play for the west indies rather than a weaker side that has a population of just 100,000, like a lot of the Caribbean islands have.

I don't know much about cricket either but if any talented players are unearthed in the future from say Bermuda, trinidad, st.lucia etc they could play for the west indies rather than a weaker side that has a population of just 100,000, like a lot of the Caribbean islands have.

Nope, keep it as Jamaica RL, just do what the Aussies and Kiwis do by claiming that South Pacific Islanders should be playing from them and have any talented Caribbean Rugby players able to play for Jamaica.

"Huh!? He looks Cuban?"

"Nah mon! You know not'in' mon! He Jamaican!"

Edited by HappyDave, 23 December 2012 - 01:09 PM.

"I've never seen a woman with hairy ears... And I've been to St Helens" - John Bishop

Nope, keep it as Jamaica RL, just do what the Aussies and Kiwis do by claiming that South Pacific Islanders should be playing from them and have any talented Caribbean Rugby players able to play for Jamaica.

"Huh!? He looks Cuban?"

"Nah mon! You know not'in' mon! He Jamaican!"

I can see that happening but Rugby league in Cuba would be amazing, Cuba has some tremendous athletes and would take to rugby league like a duck to water.

I don't know much about cricket either but if any talented players are unearthed in the future from say Bermuda, trinidad, st.lucia etc they could play for the west indies rather than a weaker side that has a population of just 100,000, like a lot of the Caribbean islands have.

Just for general information, Bermuda is 1000 miles North of the nearest West Indian Islands of the Bahamas and is not in the Carribean.

Yeah, they have great Amateur Boxers there too, so would probably enjoy a good bit of Biff.

Exactly, teofilo Stevenson, felix savon, kid chocolate etc, boxing legends. In all seriousness I'd love to see rugby league spread to Cuba, as they have flair and toughness, a nation of boxers, sprinters and ballet dancers.

Sounds good but the airfares would cost too much for it to be sustainable

well the whole point of the Jamaican semi pro side is to play in one of the yank comps, I'm sure they've noticed the issue of travel costs and are building towards that in a sensible way but its a key plank of their development http://www.facebook....177510748937506

PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF http://www.rugbyleaguecares.org/ and http://www.walesrugb...-wales-for-2013Predictions for the future -Crusaders RL to get a franchise for 2012 onwards -WRONGWidnes Vikings also to get a franchise - RIGHTCrusaders RL to do the double over Widnes and finish five places ahead of them -WRONGWidnes Vikings NOT to dominate rugby league in years to come! STILL TO COME